SWU vs. USC Beaufort

Comparable Facts

Compare Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC with University of South Carolina Beaufort in Bluffton, SC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Carolina Beaufort is larger than SWU based on total student enrollment (2,208 students vs. 980 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southern Wesleyan University is located in Central, SC (Distant Town setting); University of South Carolina Beaufort is in Bluffton, SC (Distant Rural setting).
• Southern Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Carolina Beaufort is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southern Wesleyan University 10:1; University of South Carolina Beaufort 15:1.

SWU vs. USC Beaufort Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SWU or USC Beaufort? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of South Carolina Beaufort than SWU ($15,363 vs. $20,134).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern Wesleyan University are 20.4% lower than at University of South Carolina Beaufort ($10,126 vs. $12,725).
• Southern Wesleyan University is 177.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than USC Beaufort (about $19,070 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $10,730.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.8% higher at SWU than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (about $8,024 more per year; $29,800.00 vs. $21,776.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southern Wesleyan University than at University of South Carolina Beaufort (100% vs. 88%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern Wesleyan University students is 124.3% larger than aid received by University of South Carolina Beaufort students ($19,498 vs. $8,692).

SWU vs. USC Beaufort Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SWU or USC Beaufort? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USC Beaufort and SWU.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Southern Wesleyan University (1130) is 100 points higher than at USC Beaufort (1030).
• Incoming SWU students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (25 vs. 19 at USC Beaufort).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 1040/1210; University of South Carolina Beaufort 940/1110.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Southern Wesleyan University 22/28; University of South Carolina Beaufort 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: SWU - Test optional; USC Beaufort - Test-free.
• Enrolled freshman SWU students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USC Beaufort (3.82).
• SWU has a higher acceptance rate (99.5%) than USC Beaufort (72.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 33.4% at SWU vs. 26.1% at USC Beaufort.

SWU vs. USC Beaufort Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for SWU and USC Beaufort? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Southern Wesleyan University's six-year graduation rate (42%) is higher than University of South Carolina Beaufort's (21%).
• Graduates from Southern Wesleyan University earn a median of about $8,100 more per year than USC Beaufort graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,800 vs. $36,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of South Carolina Beaufort graduates have a $2,526 lower median loan debt than SWU graduates ($24,474 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USC Beaufort graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SWU graduates ($253 vs. $279).
• More USC Beaufort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SWU students, three years after graduation. (50% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.